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                                                                    Exhibit 23.1



                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


We consent to the incorporation by reference in this registration statement of
The Kroger Co. (the "Company") on Form S-3 of our report, which includes an
explanatory paragraph regarding the Company's change in its method of accounting
for postretirement benefit costs other than pensions as of January 3, 1993,
dated January 31, 1995, on our audits of the consolidated financial statements
and financial statement schedules of the Company as of December 31, 1994 and
January 1, 1994, and for the years ended December 31, 1994, January 1, 1994 and
January 2, 1993, which report is included in the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994. We also consent to the
reference to our Firm under the caption "Experts."



(Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.)
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
Cincinnati, Ohio
August 2, 1995
